The clutch has started to slip on my diesel accord. After talking to my local Honda garage they have told me that it is a dealer-fit item as you need a special tool to remove and refit the clutch. I intend to get the parts myself for my mechanic friend to fit them as he will be much cheaper than the £695 for 6.9 hours labour only Honda wants. The clutch and release bearing are another £242 (original Honda parts) but I have been advised that it is wise to fit a new dual mass flywheel at the same time.

Can anyone advise me of the following:
1) Do you need the special tool, if there is such a thing?
2) Is it essential to replace the dual mass flywheel also?
3) Is it possible to convert to a single mass flywheel to save money?
4) Are there any aftermarket clutch kits for the Honda diesel engine?

I didn't evem know Honda's went wrong! let alone had the same afflictions a a mere Ford.
But as for special tools- garghares have for years got round this by making them - or by gtting them from factors- Sykes Pickavant make most tools, but there are often locking tools used to undo flywheels that are made for the car.
These again are oftehn made by mechanic from angle iron and other metal that is suitable with a bot of wwelding.
However, all that takes time and time is money, especially as if they may never meet another Honda Accord- they are rare, whereas another Ford will be along soon enough to get the tools for.

If you mechanic has the resources the tools will be made- but it will take time and money.
It is a bit new to start hacking it up though, I would be thinking about the residuals,but there again big cars are not worth much nowadays, I have one!

i hope your mechanic friend knows what he`s letting himself in for,the clutch is a monster job to do on an accord diesel,the front subframe needs to come out along with the steering rack etc .the special tool that is rerquired is to compress the clutch pressure plate to enable it to be removed from the dual mass flywheel,did they give you a price for a new flywheel ? i hope you are sitting down when you hear how much it costs.the flywheels do let go occassionally on honda diesels but not nearly as often as rival manufactures cars do so i would get it examined first before you hand over any cash

The clutch on my '05 diesel has started to judder slightly when cold. It's fine when warm, but should I be scared that this is an impending big bill, or am I just lucky that it hasn't done this before?

well gordon the price alone for the dual mass flywheel is about £925 inc vat ,so yes it could lead to a very expensive bill if you have clutch trouble on any of the hondas that use the 2.2 i-cdti engine

I should read the small print of the "extended" warranty, if you can get it! IIRC, having been sold one a couple of years ago, its not an extension of the Honda warranty, but a warranty offered by generalist third party, more akin to white goods cover. I couldn't get a straight answer until I saw the T&C...... The dealer staff bull it up, and glissade neatly over the details. Computer not working etc.

I took up the £250 'Honda Happiness' warranty today (while the car was passing it's first MOT without any problems). As standard it is £400, but I asked my usual dealer if they would match the offer of £250 and, having phoned Honda, they were happy to do so.

As far as I can tell, having read the small print, it really is an extension of the manufacturers cover. It covers: "all mechanical and electrical components PLUS oil seals, casings, working materials, the cat" but excludes "body, glass, paint, interior/exterior trim, batteries, exhaust and airbags". The car must be serviced at a Honda authorised dealer.

That's the extent of the exclusions. It doesn't have a minimum claim, a maximum payment, and includes a years AA cover. I'd say that's a bargain.